Cattle consuming low-quality forage may have decreased forage organic matter intake as a result of decreased nitrogen (N) intake. To date, a value has not been assigned to dried distillers' grains as a protein supplement to cattle consuming low-quality Bermudagrass forage. To address this shortcoming in the data, 13 duodenally and ruminally fistulated steers were arranged in an incomplete 13 x 4 Latin square with 13 treatments and 4 periods. Treatments were arranged as a 4 x 3 factorial plus a negative control (NC), which received no supplement. The first factor consisted of 4 levels of supplemental protein provided at 52, 104, 156, and 208 mg N/kg BW. The second factor consisted of one of three supplemental protein sources, cottonseed meal (CSM), dried distillers' grains (DDG), and dried distillers' grains plus urea (DDGU). Total digestible organic matter (TDOMI), and total organic matter intake (TOMI) increased in response to the increasing level of supplemental protein (P <0.01). Similarly, digestible neutral detergent fiber intake (DNDFI) increased as a result of supplementation (P = 0.06). Forage organic matter intake did not increase as a result of protein supplementation (P = 0.20). However, forage organic matter intake (FOMI) responded quadratically to provision of CSM (P = 0.02). In contrast, DDG and DDGU did not significantly increase FOMI. Organic matter digestibility (OMD) tended to increase (P= 0.09) as a result of protein supplementation. Ruminal ammonia concentrations increased linearly in response to increasing provision of supplemental protein and were greater than control steers (P less than 0.01). Supplementation with DDGU resulted in the greatest increase in ruminal ammonia concentrations. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations increased in a linear fashion in response to CSM and DDGU supplementation (P less than 0.01), while provision of DDG resulted in a quadratic response (P = 0.08). Based on these results, DDG can be utilized as a protein supplement to increase TDOMI, however, it accomplishes this without significantly impacting FOMI which is in contrast to CSM.

Background: Nowadays, the development of the internet makes online shopping more popularized . The appearance of online shopping brings considerable benefits to customers, however, there are still risks in the area. To maintain good relationship management between customers and companies, it is necessary to understand the online customer experience and its relevant important factors . Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explain the impact of three factors (low-quality delivery, low-quality online customer service, and low-quality website design) on online customer experience. Methodology: The paper used a quantitative approach in cross-sectional design and collected totally 78 responses. The related data collection is conducted through a self-completion questionnaire in the online form.  Findings: The negative impacts of low-quality online customer service and low-quality website design on online customer experience are confirmed. There is an effective and strong connection between low-quality website design and low-quality online customer service. Conclusion: Based on the findings, H2 and H3 cannot be rejected but H1 needs to be rejected. One can therefore say that even in the context of rapid technological development, modern online shoppers have not changed their aversion to low-quality elements, that the view that low-quality online customer service and low-quality website design negatively affect OCE has not changed.

Low quality information such as spam and rumors is a nuisance to people and hinders them from consuming information that is pertinent to them or that they are looking for. As social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Google+ have become important communication platforms in people's daily lives, malicious users make them as major targets to pollute with low quality information, which we also call as Denial of Information (DoI) attacks. How to analyze and detect low quality information in social networks for preventing DoI attacks is the major research problem I will address in this dissertation. Although individual social networks are capable of filtering a significant amount of low quality information they receive, they usually require large amounts of resources (e.g, personnel) and incur a delay before detecting new types of low quality information. Also the evolution of various low quality information posts lots of challenges to defensive techniques. My work contains three major parts: 1). analytics and detection framework of low quality information, 2). evolutionary study of low quality information, and 3). detection approaches of low quality information. In part I, I proposed social spam analytics and detection framework SPADE across multiple social networks showing the efficiency and flexibility of cross-domain classification and associative classification. In part II, I performed a large-scale evolutionary study on web page spam and email spam over a long period of time. In part III, I designed three detection approaches used in detecting low quality information in social networks: click traffic analysis of short URL spam, behavior analysis of URL spam and information diffusion analysis of rumors in social networks. Our study shows promising results in analyzing and detecting low quality information in social networks.

Microbial crude protein (MCP) is the main source of protein supplied to ruminants. Several studies report that the efficiency of MCP production (eMCP) from tropical forages is low due to low rumen degradable protein (RDP) content. The studies reported in this thesis determined the eMCP from tropical forages varying in crude protein (CP) and dry matter digestibility (DMD), examined strategies to increase eMCP and the possible practical methods of application under extensive cattle production systems. This was done through four metabolism experiments, one rate of digestion experiment and a preference test experiment. In Experiment 1, the eMCP of 3 tropical forages (speargrass (Heteropogon contortus), Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp) and pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha)), and temperate ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cultivar aristocrat) was measured. All tropical forages were associated with low eMCP (102 - 110 g MCP/kg digestible organic matter (DOM)) due to low CP and RDP content. The RDP content of the tropical forages ranged from 43 - 103 g RDP/kg DOM compared to 214 g RDP/kg DOM in ryegrass. Retention time of Cr-EDTA and Ytterbium in the rumen ranged from 13 - 34 and 29 - 59 h for tropical forages respectively, compared to 10.2 and 13.2 h for ryegrass. In Experiment 2, the rate of digestion of speargrass, Mitchell grass and ryegrass varied when incubated in the rumen of steers consuming speargrass hay (1.8% CP). Addition of a variety of nitrogen supplements; urea-ammonium sulphate (US), US plus branch chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine) plus phenylalanine (USAA), casein, cottonseed meal (CSM), yeast and Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidea) algae to supply approximately 170 g RDP/kg DOM improved the rate of digestion of all three substrates. However, there was no difference in rate of digestion of the three substrates between the different nitrogen supplements. In Experiments 3 and 4, steers fed medium quality pangola grass hay (9.9% CP and 61% DMD) or low quality Mitchell grass hay (4.5% CP and 41% DMD) were supplemented with US, casein and USAA. US was provided at 130, 170, 210 and 250 g RDP/kg DOM. The USAA treatment was provided at a RDP/DOM of 170 with US and then amino acids (USAA) were provided in the same ratio and level as the amino acids in the casein treatment at 130, 170, 250 and 300 g RDP/kg DOM. Increased RDP intake from all supplements increased the rumen ammonia-N concentration for both hays. The molar percentage of branch chain fatty acids (BCFA) increased 3 - 4 fold (6.6% of total VFA) above control with increasing intake of USAA or casein supplements for both hays. However, eMCP did not increase in response to increasing RDP intake from either supplement for both hays. The RDP supplementation also had no effect on intake, rate of digestion and retention time of Cr-EDTA in the rumen. In Experiment 5, steers fed Mitchell grass hay (3.8% CP and 44% DMD) were supplemented with US and Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) algae. The US was supplied to provide 90, 130, 170 and 210 g RDP/kg DOM and the Spirulina supplied to provide 90, 130, 170 and 290 g RDP/kg DOM. Increased RDP intake from US and Spirulina was associated with linear and quadratic increases in eMCP respectively. The eMCP at the highest level of US (93 g MCP/kg DOM) was below the minimum feeding standards value of 130 g MCP/kg DOM, whilst the highest level of Spirulina reached the higher end of the feeding standards (166 g MCP/kg DOM). Increasing RDP intake resulted in increased hay DM intake and total DOM intake, which were both higher for the Spirulina than the US supplement (24.5 vs.18.5 g DM/kg W/d and 11.9 vs. 7.6 g DOM/kg W/d). The retention time of Cr-EDTA and lignin in the rumen decreased with increasing RDP intake and were both shorter with Spirulina compared with US supplementation (15 vs. 21 h for Cr-EDTA; 45 vs. 56 h for lignin). In addition, Spirulina increased the BCFA concentration to 4.2% of total VFA. In Experiment 6, four different concentrations of Spirulina solution were offered to steers fed restricted amounts (14 g DM/kg W/d) of pangola hay (3.4% CP). Drinking water containing Spirulina was highly preferred and had no deleterious effect on water or hay intake. Steers strongly preferred Spirulina solution to water, when offered both solutions. Approximately 20.5% of imbibed water by-passed the rumen, which was not influenced by the Spirulina concentration in the drinking water. It may be concluded that RDP is the primary factor affecting eMCP. High eMCP was associated with low retention time of water in the rumen and high intake. Once RDP is not limiting eMCP, a source of RDP rich in true protein, nucleic acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, such as Spirulina algae, may be required for cattle fed low quality tropical hay to achieve the maximum eMCP reported in the feeding standards.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the use of peppermint leaves and cinnamon oil on methane production and apparent ruminal digestibility. In experiment 1, 12 jars were utilized in a completely randomized design to conduct three separate 24 hour batch culture experiments. The objective of the batch culture experiments was to examine the effects of the selected natural supplements on methane production. For the first batch culture, jars were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) control diet (CON); 2) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 3% of the diet (PEP3); 3) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 6% of the diet (PEP6); or 4) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 12% of the diet (PEP12). The addition of the peppermint leaves increased (P = 0.004) oxygen and tended to increase (P = 0.10) nitrogen gas, but had no significant (P ≥ 0.15) effect on methane production. For the second batch culture, jars were randomly assigned to one of the folloiwng treatments: 1) control diet (CON); 2) CON plus the addition of cinnamon oil at 125 mg/L (CIN 125); 3) CON plus the addition of cinnamon oil at 250 mg/L (CIN250); or 4) CON plus the addition of cinnamon oil at 500 mg/L (CIN500). Cinnamon oil decreased (P = 0.002) methane production when added at 500 mg/L which also decreased (P = 0.001) total gas production compared to the other treatments. For the final batch culture, jars were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) control diet (CON); 2) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 3% of the diet and cinnamon oil at 125 mg/L (3:125); 3) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 3% of the diet and cinnamon oil at 250 mg/L (3:250); or 4) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 6% of the diet and cinnamon oil at 125 mg/L (6:125). The addition of the peppermint leaves at 6% of the diet and cinnamon oil at 125 mg/L significantly decreased nitrogen (P = 0.05) and methane (P = 0.0001) gas production compared to CON and 3:250 treatment. Based on the results of the three batch cultures, experiment 2 utilized four dual-flow continuous fermenters in a Latin Square design to examine the effects of the selected natural supplements on apparent ruminal digestibility and ruminal characteristics. Fermenters were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) control diet (CON); 2) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 3% of the diet (PEP3); 3) CON plus the addition of cinnamon oil at 500 mg/L (CIN500); or 4) CON plus the addition of peppermint leaves at 6% of the diet and cinnamon oil at 125 mg/L (COMBO). Treatments for experiment 2 had no effect (P ≥ 0.17) on apparent ruminal digestibility of nutrients. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.09) in total or individual VFA concentrations, suggesting that the use of peppermint leaves, cinnamon oil, or a combination of the two has no adverse effects on apparent ruminal digestibility. Feeding ruminants a natural supplement such as cinnamon oil, peppermint leaves, or a combination could potentially reduce GHG production when feeding a low-quality, forage based diet.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing wheat-based dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on cow performance, forage utilization, and production costs. In the first two experiments, 48 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (mean BW±SD; 598.2±4.2 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were allocated randomly to one of three replicated (n=2) treatments. Cows were managed on stockpiled crested wheatgrass pasture (TDN=49.0, CP=7.3 (% DM)) in experiment one (EXP 1) and barley straw-chaff residue (TDN=45.4, CP=8.6 (% DM)) in experiment two (EXP 2). EXP 1 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 100% commercial supplement (COMM); or (3) control no supplement (CONT). EXP 2 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 50% DDGS + 50% rolled barley (50:50); or (3) 100% rolled barley grain (control; BARL). Forage utilization was measured for both trials using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at the start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on forage utilization in either experiment. In EXP 1, cow performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement strategy. In EXP 2, BW change was 11.3, 6.8, and -6.5 (P < 0.01) for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL, respectively. Because forage utilization was not affected, the difference in cow BW was the result of supplement type. Costs per cow per day in EXP 1 were $0.66, $0.68, and $0.60 for DDGS, COMM, and CONT, respectively. In EXP 2, costs per cow per day were $0.79, $0.80, and $0.80 for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL treatments, respectively.<p> In experiment three (EXP 3), four ruminally cannulated beef heifers were individually fed a basal ration of 75% ground barley straw and 25% ground grass hay (TDN=46.3, CP=7.5 (% DM)). Heifers were supplemented with either (1) DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) commercial range pellet (COMM); (3) barley grain and canola meal (BAR+CM); or (4) control no supplement (CONT). Forage intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and passage rate; rumen fermentation parameters; and the rate and extent of forage degradation were measured. Forage intake, passage rate, and apparent total tract digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected (P > 0.41) by treatment. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation, but was not different between DDGS, COMM, and BAR+CM treatments. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.20) by treatment diet, but rumen ammonia-N was increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation. The potentially degradable and undegradable forage fractions were affected (P < 0.02) by supplementation, reducing the extent of forage degradation. Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for the rate of forage DM degradation to increase when supplements were fed. The results of these experiments indicate that wheat-based DDGS can be used as a supplement for beef cows consuming forages with similar or greater effects compared to a commercial pellet and barley grain. DDGS had similar effects on rumen metabolism as the commercial range pellet or barley grain and canola meal, suggesting DDGS can be substituted on a unit basis with these supplements. As such, the inclusion of wheat-based DDGS as a supplement for beef cows will depend on the initial price of the supplement.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing wheat-based dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on cow performance, forage utilization, and production costs. In the first two experiments, 48 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (mean BW±SD; 598.2±4.2 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were allocated randomly to one of three replicated (n=2) treatments. Cows were managed on stockpiled crested wheatgrass pasture (TDN=49.0, CP=7.3 (% DM)) in experiment one (EXP 1) and barley straw-chaff residue (TDN=45.4, CP=8.6 (% DM)) in experiment two (EXP 2). EXP 1 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 100% commercial supplement (COMM); or (3) control no supplement (CONT). EXP 2 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 50% DDGS + 50% rolled barley (50:50); or (3) 100% rolled barley grain (control; BARL). Forage utilization was measured for both trials using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at the start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on forage utilization in either experiment. In EXP 1, cow performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement strategy. In EXP 2, BW change was 11.3, 6.8, and -6.5 (P < 0.01) for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL, respectively. Because forage utilization was not affected, the difference in cow BW was the result of supplement type. Costs per cow per day in EXP 1 were $0.66, $0.68, and $0.60 for DDGS, COMM, and CONT, respectively. In EXP 2, costs per cow per day were $0.79, $0.80, and $0.80 for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL treatments, respectively.<p> In experiment three (EXP 3), four ruminally cannulated beef heifers were individually fed a basal ration of 75% ground barley straw and 25% ground grass hay (TDN=46.3, CP=7.5 (% DM)). Heifers were supplemented with either (1) DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) commercial range pellet (COMM); (3) barley grain and canola meal (BAR+CM); or (4) control no supplement (CONT). Forage intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and passage rate; rumen fermentation parameters; and the rate and extent of forage degradation were measured. Forage intake, passage rate, and apparent total tract digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected (P > 0.41) by treatment. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation, but was not different between DDGS, COMM, and BAR+CM treatments. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.20) by treatment diet, but rumen ammonia-N was increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation. The potentially degradable and undegradable forage fractions were affected (P < 0.02) by supplementation, reducing the extent of forage degradation. Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for the rate of forage DM degradation to increase when supplements were fed. The results of these experiments indicate that wheat-based DDGS can be used as a supplement for beef cows consuming forages with similar or greater effects compared to a commercial pellet and barley grain. DDGS had similar effects on rumen metabolism as the commercial range pellet or barley grain and canola meal, suggesting DDGS can be substituted on a unit basis with these supplements. As such, the inclusion of wheat-based DDGS as a supplement for beef cows will depend on the initial price of the supplement.

The evaluation of ammoniation of mature grass (1/3 Festuca sp, 1/3 Bromus and 1/3 Dactylis sp) as a basal diet for pregnant ewes and its effects on ruminal fermentation were studied. Ammoniation increased the forage dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein (CP), and gross energy digestibility. Ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid were not affected by ammoniation (P>.05). Individual VFA concentrations were affected significantly. In a third experiment, ammoniated wheat straw was evaluated as a basal diet for wintering pregnant ewes. Ammoniated straw replaced grass hay in the diet. Dry matter intake was not different (P>.05). Final body weight total gain, and fleece weight were higher for controls (P.05). A fourth experiment evaluated how rehydrating wheat straws prior to ammoniation affected utilization by pregnant western white-face ewes. These treatments increased dry matter and crude protein intakes significantly (P.05). Lamb birth weight was not affected by treatment (P=.874) and fleece weight increased (P<.05). Nutritive value of 5 barley and 10 wheat straw varieties was evaluated for ruminants with the in situ technique. Fiesta and Kombar barley varieties exhibited the highest dry matter disappearance (P In a final study, nitrogen and energy balance was measured on lactating western white-face ewes during early and late lactation. Milk production was .683 and .711 L/d during early and late lactation. Efficiency of milk production was .429 and .338 milk L/kg DM consumed for early and late lactation, respectively. Nitrogen balance was positive during both stages of lactation. Milk gross energy and metabolizable energy were 15.13 and 14.16% for early and late lactation, respectively.

In a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement, three energy supplements and two species (cows and ewes) were evaluated in two identical experimental periods: gestation and lactation. The three supplement treatments were a control, barley, and sugar beet pulp (SBP). The basal diet was tall wheatgrass straw (5.52% CP). Forage and total dry matter intake (FDMI and TDMI, respectively) interacted (P=.04) with species, supplements, and physiological stages. An interaction of physiological stage and sampling time occurred for pH. Supplement and sampling time interacted for butyric acid proportion and total VFA concentration. Diet digestibility displayed an interaction between species and physiological stage. Digestibility was lower during lactation than gestation for cows, but similar for ewes. Retention time interacted for species, supplement, and physiological stage. Fill of the gastrointestinal tract responded to physiological stage. Fill of the gastrointestinal tract responded to physiological stage, with values of .80 and 1.36% BW for gestation and lactation, respectively. Methane output displayed an interaction between species and physiological stage when data where analyzed as g CH4 d-1kg-1 BW. The highest and more variable values in CH4 losses were from ewes. From gestation to lactation, both species increased CH4 production. Energy lost in feces responded to physiological stage (P=.0008). Across species and supplements, 48 and 60% of the GEI were lost as feces during gestation and lactation, respectively. The use of energetic supplements in ewes depresses FDMI in late gestation, but stimulates it during lactation when a diet based on low-quality forage is fed. For cows, the use of energetic supplements does not affect FDMI during late gestation or lactation. The source of energy does not have an effect, and thus the decision will depend on the cost of supplements. Intake is more strongly affected in ewes than cows when low-quality forage is used. However, for both species, dry matter intake (DMI) is strongly depressed in late gestation.

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / Organisations spend copious time and resources recruiting and selecting the best candidates to fill a vacancy. In the modern-day work environment, high-performing and engaged employees are the key drivers of organisational success. Organisations spend considerable time and resources to ensure that employees with the proper skills are selected into the organisation. More recently, companies shifted their focus from technical skills to competencies that advance teamwork and collaboration. Agile organisational structures dependent on a flexible and collaborative workforce to adapt to changing market conditions. This study focused on the role of emotional intelligence, mediated through emotional regulation on leader-member exchange (LMX).